November 22nd 2024.
It is with a heavy heart that Paul Simon has shared some upsetting news with his fans. The 83-year-old music legend, known for his successful career as part of the iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel, has announced that he will no longer be able to perform one of his beloved hits due to his ongoing battle with hearing loss.
Paul's repertoire includes many timeless classics such as "The Sound of Silence," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and "Mrs. Robinson." However, there is one song that holds a special place in his heart – "You Can Call Me Al." Released in 1986, the single was inspired by Paul's trip to South Africa and tells the story of a man going through a midlife crisis.
While the song initially received mixed reviews, it gained popularity in 1987 when Paul's album "Graceland" won a Grammy for album of the year. It became his biggest solo hit, achieving triple platinum status in the UK. Sadly, Paul revealed this week on CBS Mornings that due to his hearing loss, he can no longer play certain songs, including "You Can Call Me Al," from his catalogue.
In an effort to continue performing, Paul has had to make some changes, such as playing acoustic versions of his songs. He shared on the show, "It's all much quieter. It's not 'You Can Call Me Al,' that's gone. I can't do that one."
Despite this setback, Paul remains determined to keep making music and is working towards finding a cure for hearing loss. He is collaborating with the Stanford Initiative and a team of 100 scientists to raise awareness and prevent others from experiencing the same struggle.
The star first noticed his hearing loss in 2023 while recording his latest album, "Seven Psalms." He admitted feeling frustrated and angry about the situation, saying, "I guess what I'm most apprehensive about would be if I can't hear well enough to really enjoy the act of making music."
Currently, Paul has lost 94% of his hearing in his left ear, and doctors have informed him that there is no cure for his condition. This problem affects people of all ages, with up to 11 million people in the UK alone experiencing some form of hearing loss.
Despite the disappointing news, Paul remains positive and optimistic about his future. He hopes to one day return to the stage for a full-length concert, saying in an interview with The Guardian, "I'm hoping to eventually be able to do a full-length concert. I'm optimistic. Six months ago, I was pessimistic."
Last year, Paul and his former bandmate Art Garfunkel reunited for the first time in years. The pair had a falling out due to some hurtful comments Art made in a past interview, but they have since reconciled. Art shared with The Sunday Times, "I cried when he told me how much I had hurt him. Looking back, I guess I wanted to shake up the nice guy image of Simon & Garfunkel. You know what? I was a fool!"
Despite their past differences, Paul and Art remain friends to this day. Paul continues to inspire fans with his music and positive outlook, even in the face of adversity. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, please get in touch with The Agency entertainment team – they would love to hear from you.
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